LO freshman wins Reno Tournament of Champions, gearing up for
run at state title
RENO, Nev.
Four months into his freshman wrestling season at Live Oak High School, Isaiah Locsin is reshaping the state’s pecking order and making history along the way.
Last weekend, the rookie 103-pounder won the nationally renowned Tournament of Champions in Reno, Nev., and became the first freshman to earn the event’s Outstanding Wrestler award since the RTOC began in 1994.
“I definitely thought I could win it,” Locsin said by phone Monday. “I always believe I can win. I try to do the same thing against every guy. Take them down; try not to get taken down.
“I push my hardest every day.”
It is Locin’s third tournament title this winter, and he won it almost as easily as the previous two, totaling three pins, a decision and a technical fall against top-seeded Brandon George of Maple Mountain–Utah in the semifinals. Locsin (12-0) also upset the No. 4 seed, Grandview’s Josh Federico of Aurora, Colo., 16-1 in the quarterfinals.
Locsin won the championship match 5-0 over unseeded Gilroy sophomore Leif Dominguez, who is ranked one spot ahead of Locsin at No. 1 in the Central Coast Section.
“I saw a lot of good guys there, so it was a good test,” said Locsin, a Morgan Hill native who grew up wrestling for the Gilroy Hawks. “I feel pretty confident. I think I can really do good this year.”
Though the RTOC is known as “the toughest tournament in the USA,” drawing some of the country’s best wrestlers, its top prize pales in comparison to the one Locsin wants to win at the CIF State Championships in March; the perfect end to what he hopes will be an undefeated season.
Locsin gets another glimpse of his leading competition at the Jan. 7-8 Doc Buchanan Tournament in Clovis.
Live Oak’s Santa Teresa Division dual season begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 4 against visiting Pioneer.
“The biggest thing I need to work on now is my technique,” Locsin said. “That and staying in the best shape possible. I’m getting there.”
